Vicki Jagger

Vicki joined the Centre for History as a PhD student in 2021. Her thesis title is 'Landed elite evangelical women in the north of Scotland during the first half of the n ineteenth century: their networks and identities'.

Retirement gave me the opportunity to pursue seriously my lifelong interest in history. UHI provided an environment within which I was able to gain research and analytical skills whilst working from home. The Centre for History’s high academic standards and exemplary teaching challenged and inspired me. Having completed an MLitt History of the Highlands and Islands in 2020 and having enjoyed the experience even more than I had anticipated I commenced my PhD project in 2021.

Whilst studying Sir John Sinclair, the initiator of the Old Statistical Account of Scotland, I came across references to his daughter, Janet. Excerpts from Janet’s diary indicated that she was a committed evangelical Christian at a time when many elite individuals were only paying lip service to religion. I was intrigued as to whether this Caithness woman was a maverick or part of a larger network of like-minded people.  My research to answer this question is taking me on an exciting journey exploring the lived experience of diverse women including Elizabeth, duchess of Gordon and Augusta Mackenzie, daughter of Lord Seaforth. The paradigm that is emerging suggests that evangelicalism was core to the identities and connections of several north of Scotland landed elite women who lived during the first half of the nineteenth century. 

PhD research is for me unlocking knowledge and new ways of critical thinking which I find stimulating and deeply rewarding.